The Eternal Journey: Ratha Yatra of Puri

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Some details of Puri’s Ratha Jatra are as follows:

The name of the chariot of Lord Jagannath is Nandighosha. The name of the chariot of Lord Balabhadra is Taladhwaja and the name of the chariot of Maa Subhadra is Darpadalana.

Number of wheels of these three chariots are sixteen, fourteen and twelve respectively.

Total Number of wooden pieces used in these chariots are 832,763 and 593 respectively.

The colours of the canopies are respectively Red-Yellow (yellow associated with Vishnu),

Red-Bluish green and Red-Black (Black associated with the Goddess). The flag names are respectively Trailokyamohini, Unnani       and Nadambika. Name of Horses are Shankha, Balahaka and Shweta. Colour of Horses are White, Black and Red. Name of Chariot Ropes are Sankhachuda Nagini, Basuki Naga and  Swarnachuda Nagini. Nine parshvadevatas are Hanuman,  Madhusudana (Vishnu), Giridhar (Krishna), Pandu Narasingha, Chitamani Krishna, Narayana (Vishnu), Rama seated on Hanuman, Ganesha and Kartikeya. The Gatekeepers are Jaya, Vijaya, Nanda, Sunanda, Ganga, Jamuna and others.

Now let me present my poem:

In Puri’s ancient city, where devotion meets the sea,

The Ratha Yatra festival unfolds, a grand and sacred spree.

In the bright half of Ashadh, beneath the summer’s sky,

Three deities leave their temple home, as devotees draw them nigh.

Lord Jagannath, with Nandighosha, leads the grand parade,

Balabhadra, on Taladhwaja, follows, in splendour arrayed.

And Subhadra, sweet sister, on Darpadalana rides,

Their chariots newly crafted, with ancient rites as guides.

From Dasapalla forests, the holy wood is sought,

Phassi, dhausa trees, their blessings gently brought.

Mahanadi’s waters bear the logs in rafts of old,

To Puri’s sacred ground, where tales of yore are told.

On Bada Danda, the Grand Avenue, the chariots stand in line,

Decorated with timeless art, in colors so divine.

Jagannath’s canopy, red and yellow gleam,

Balabhadra’s, red and bluish-green, a dream.

And Subhadra’s, red and black, a striking scene.

With sixteen wheels, Jagannath’s grand chariot rolls,

Balabhadra’s fourteen wheels, Subhadra’s twelve, their goal:

To Gundicha Temple’s haven, where they will rest a while,

Amidst the chants and praises, in every heart a smile.

The nine Parsva devatas, with painted forms so bright,

Adorn the sides of chariots, a truly wondrous sight.

Shankha, Balahaka, and Shweta, horses white, black, and red,

Draw the deities forward, as ancient hymns are said.

At Mausi Maa Temple, the journey finds a pause,

For Poda Pitha offering, sweetening the cause.

Seven days in Gundicha, the deities reside,

Before the grand return, where their eternal spirits bide.

Trailokyamohini, Unnani, and Nadambika flags do wave,

Above the sacred chariots, as faithful hearts are brave.

With ropes of divine serpents, the chariots move along,

Sankhachuda Nagini, Basuki Naga, in this holy throng.

Guarded by Jaya, Vijaya, and others by their side,

The gatekeepers of divinity, in whom the faithful confide.

As Puri’s streets are thronged with love, devotion, and delight,

The Ratha Yatra festival shines, a beacon in the night.

For in this timeless journey, where wood and spirit blend,

The heart of every pilgrim finds a solace without end.

In Jagannath’s eternal gaze, beneath the Odisha sky,

The Ratha Yatra whispers of the love that never dies.